The mother and godfather of a Silsden boy are leaping to the rescue of the hospital that saved his life as a baby.

Kirsty Whitaker and Damon Reece will do a parachute jump in support of the campaign to save Leeds General Infirmary’s children’s heart unit.

Their jump will also raise money for a fighting fund for court action against the planned closure of the surgery unit.

Kirsty and husband Shaun’s son Joseph, now six, will in future have to travel to Newcastle for heart operations.

Joseph had an operation soon after he was born because of a congenital heart defect. One of Joseph’s arteries had narrowed and Joseph will need operations throughout his childhood to correct the arteries as they continue to narrow.

Kirsty, of Craven Drive, said: “It wasn’t picked up until he was two weeks old and at that time he was very weak and ill.

“He was taken straight from Airedale to Leeds. He was in a really bad way. He’ll need further treatment all his life.”

Kirsty said that having to travel to Newcastle for operations would take Joseph, Shaun and her away from the support of family and friends.

She said that when Joseph received his first treatment in Leeds she and Shaun were near enough to home to be able to return to freshen up.

She said: “Having the support keeps you going. People can come and visit.

“Leeds General Infirmary is amazing. We’ve been to different hospitals and you can see the difference. It’s run so well. You don’t have to fix what’s not broken.”

The decision to close the Leeds unit was made this summer following a nationwide review into children’s heart services.

In future, Keighley families will receive diagnosis, monitoring and non-surgical treatment at Leeds, but will have to travel to Liverpool or Newcastle for operations.

Yorkshire politicians have called for Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to intervene, and parents are also campaigning to stop the Leeds closure.

Kirsty volunteered her support after a Facebook campaign group asked for people to do the parachute jump to raise awareness and money. Damon and wife Sara are Joseph’s godparents, so Damon agreed to join in even though he, like Kirsty, is frightened of flying.

Damon, of Kent Avenue, Silsden, said: “I’ve heard the plane is the worst bit. I guess once you’ve thrown yourself out there’s nothing you can do about it!”

Damon and Kirsty are jumping in aid of the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. More details are available from chsf.org.uk.

People can donate to “Joseph’s Jumpers” at the website Virgin Giving by typing “Kirsty Whitaker” into the Sponsor a Friend box.

Kirsty is also organising a “Fighting FunDay” at St James’s Church on August 18 from 9am to noon. The event is open to all and includes a coffee morning, face painting, and dunking Damon and Shaun.